I was pleasantly surprised to read the article “Addicted to Psychics” (by Alex Williams, New York Times News Service, Currents, March 9). Starting as a teen and continuing through my young adult years, I was fascinated by the occult and pseudo-science. I believed there were people who could receive the thoughts of others and move objects with their mind.

I was cured by science. I am now in my 60s, and as I learned more and more about biology, astronomy, geology and particularly physics, I came to be very skeptical about the pseudo-science world, and I lost all my beliefs in telepathy, telekinesis, remote viewing, etc. The laws of physics as we presently understand them, do not permit such things.

I still enjoy “Star Trek” and “Harry Potter.” I just don't believe in supernatural powers. I do not completely reject all those things out of hand because science continues to advance. Things we accept as routine today would be considered magic just a hundred years ago or so.

However, I do completely reject psychics, clairvoyants, remote viewers, mediums and the like because there is simply no credible scientific evidence that those powers exist. In fact, psychics who profess to be able to contact the dead and give messages to loved ones left behind are particularly disturbing to me, because they give those loved ones here on earth false hope and false beliefs that their dead loved one can actually give them messages from the beyond. I think that is despicable.

Yes, there are some few who delude even themselves and actually believe in their own psychic powers. That is so sad. They don't even realize they are fooling themselves as well.

To anyone who might be reading this, there are no such things as ghosts, poltergeists, demons or witches. There are no such things as psychics, mediums, remote viewers or fortunetellers. Pseudo-scientific beliefs such as telepathy, telekinesis, crystal power or pyramid power do not exist. If anyone tries to convince you otherwise, particularly if they solicit money from you as payment for using those powers for your benefit, RUN, do not walk, as fast as you can in the other direction. For enlightenment, study science instead, and you will understand why these weird science things cannot exist.

Samuel G. Kibler
Lakeside

I'm glad that your various rides on San Diego public transportation resulted in press coverage for the Coaster in Sunday's paper (“Along for the ride” by Peter Rowe, Currents, March 5). It opened my eyes to a few other interesting ways that San Diegans commute to work as well.

Regarding the Coaster, your little luxury and commuter heaven features captured the spirit of the train ride nicely. I might add that the sunsets over the ocean are great this time of year, and it's always fun to get the surf report visually instead of by other means.

As to your big question about the rush, I have a few responses. Since the Coaster is mainly a commuter train trying to attract “choice riders,” meaning people who choose between driving and riding the train, we are essentially competing with I-5. The stops are brief so we can get people through the corridor in under an hour. Since people are not boarding with luggage, like they are on Amtrak, we tend to move a little quicker, and our regular patrons seem to like it.

About your commuter hell and our “cranky conductor”: in their defense, conductors have many responsibilities in operating the train and are excellent at what they do. They safely move more than 6,000 commuters through the corridor every business day while juggling train dispatchers, fare evaders and passengers who leave behind everything from laptops to cell phones and car keys.

Thanks again for your feature on public transit, we welcome the attention.

Tom Kelleher
Manager of Marketing
& Communications
North County Transit District

Great and very helpful article! We have lived downtown for more than two years and have taken advantage of very few of these forms of transportation (we DO walk a lot). I have one question: Once you take the ferry across to Coronado, how do you get around? Are there cabs right there or a shuttle? Thanks.

Deborah Hunter
San Diego

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